Panel: Bringing Ecological Footprint Data to the Population Debate

02/22/2012 11:57 PM

To many, population growth, poor health care and climate change are all intractable global problems. But as challenging as these issues are to the future of our planet, Ecological Footprint resource accounting provides the data that can help manage and even reverse these worrisome trends.

Thursday evening, February 23, Global Footprint Network and other experts from leading research and environmental organizations will explore these interconnected challenges at a film screening and panel presentation in Berkeley, California, organized by the Institute for Population Studies.

Following a screening of the population and human rights film “Mother: Caring for 7 Billion,” which features Global Footprint Network president Mathis Wackernagel, a panel of Bay Area researchers and scientists will offer realistic solutions to many of the global problems presented in the film.

Global Footprint Network expert and panel member Kyle Gracey will share what Global Footprint Network’s data tells us about how changes in population and consumption affect our Ecological Footprint. Our hard science helps to cool an often heated discussion, while providing world leaders and individuals with the information they need to help their citizens and themselves, however many we are, live better on a planet where so many compete for the same resources.

The panel will also feature Searle Whitney, president of the Institute for Population Studies, and Kate Looby from the Sierra Club. Kristen Steele, U.S. Programs Coordinator for the International Society of Ecology and Culture, a co-sponsor of the event, will serve as the moderator.
The film will start at 7:00 p.m., and the panel convenes for a one-hour discussion at 8:00 p.m. Admission to the event at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Avenue in Berkeley, is free. But reservations should be made at http://exploring7billion.eventbrite.com